Velodyne Lidar Inc. this week announced a multi-year sales agreement with Gatik, which uses Velodyne’s lidars as a key part of the sensor suite for its autonomous vehicles (AVs). Gatik said it delivers orders safely and efficiently among micro-fulfillment centers, so-called dark stores, and retail locations in middle-mile logistics.
“Velodyne’s sensor solutions have the proven performance, reliability, and resilience our AVs need to operate safely and efficiently in complex urban operational design domains,” stated Arjun Narang, co-founder and chief technology officer at Gatik. “We’re excited to be rapidly scaling our autonomous solution with the support of Velodyne’s industry-leading lidar technology.”
San Jose, Calif.-based Velodyne claims to be the first public pure-play lidar company and provides sensor hardware and software for autonomous vehicles, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), robots, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), smart cities, and security.
Gatik was founded in 2017 by veterans of the autonomous technology industry and has offices in Palo Alto, Calif., and Toronto. The company's fleet of light- to medium-duty trucks focuses on short-haul, business-to-business logistics for Fortune 500 retailers such as Walmart and Loblaw. Gatik said it can reduce customer costs and keep delivery times short by automating transportation networks.
Gatik uses Velodyne sensors in real-time operations
As e-commerce growth soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to address labor shortges, increase road safety, and meet customer expectations for rapid and contactless delivery has also risen. Gatik said its fleet of Class 3-6 trucks is equipped with multi-temperature compartments and operates seven days a week, 12 hours a day, on routes up to 300 miles in multiple markets across North America.
Gatik uses Velodyne's Alpha Prime and Ultra Puck lidar sensors to support short-haul logistics with precise, reliable navigation. The sensors provide the range, accuracy, and resolution necessary for reliable autonomous logistics services, said Velodyne.
Alpha Prime and Ultra Puck use Velodyne’s patented 3D surround-view technology to provide real-time object detection. They can detect and track vehicles, pedestrians, and other obstructions to help autonomous vehicles safely navigate at various speeds, traveling night and day in a range of road conditions such as rain, sleet, and snow, the company added.
“Gatik is bringing autonomous delivery into the mainstream and creating significant efficiencies in supply chain logistics for retailers. It may be an eye-opener for many people to learn that Gatik’s AVs using Velodyne’s sensors were likely involved in delivering some of the goods they are using in their homes,” said Anand Gopalan, CEO of Velodyne Lidar. “They are demonstrating how Velodyne sensors help AVs provide efficient and safe movement of goods.”
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